Across the Nightingale Floor is about a boy, Tomasu, whose entire tribe is brutally murdered by a violent warlord in a mythical feudal Japan, and who barely manages to escape with his own life. In escaping, Tomasu evolves in Takeo, the adopted son of Lord Otori Shigeru, whose own clan has suffered at the hands of the same evil warlord. Together, Takeo and Lord Otori undertake a mission of revenge against the warlord, helped by Takeo's recently discovered supernatural powers. (These supernatural powers are highly reminiscent of those displayed in the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.)

An incredibly smooth read, this book is difficult to put down once you pick it up and even harder to finish, especially since the sequel, Grass for His Pillow, won't be out until August. The New York Times Book Review said it best: "Lian Hearn has created a world I anticipate returning to with pleasure. "

Journal Entry 2 by mertle at bench along water front just south of Newport in Jersey City, New Jersey USA on Sunday, July 06, 2003